Category: Racing diary

We have suffered from a bout of seconditis over the last couple of days but at least Yaboya won for the list to follow today. I have followed Yaboya’s progress pretty well since the start of his career and he has always looked the type to make a chaser.  He jumped well today to open his account over fences at Market Rasen although he had to be kept up to his work right to the line by AP McCoy.  The other runner in the race, Keenan’s Future was brought down at the first.

  

Down at Wincanton I thought Henrietta Knight’s Harringay jumped particularly well on her chase bow and there was no disgrace in being outpaced at the finish by Senorita Rumbalita who had a much higher hurdles rating and the benefit of a previous run.

  

Elsewhere I see that Liberate made a winning hurdles debut at Hereford.  He is yet another recruit to the winter game from the flat stable of Sir Mark Prescott.  He won 4 times on the flat before moving to Philip Hobb’s yard.

  

The advance going at Ascot is good to firm although there is rain about.  King Barry won at Perth in the summer and a firm surface may well be to his advantage.  He has also had a promising prep run over hurdles at Haydock and looks each way value in the handicap chased at 3.20.  There are plenty of old favourite in opposition, not least Florida Dream who was a big success on last season’s list to follow.  This full brother to the great Florida Pearl won twice last season and is another that looks overpriced in the market.

  

The ex German gelding Tarlac is my fancy for the 3.55.  He won twice last season as well as finishing 5^th in the ultra competitive Imperial Cup at Sandown. AP McCoy rides.

  

At Exeter Petit Lord may be the answer in the 3.30.  Trained by Paul Nicholls he was 3^rd at Toulouse to another horse now with the champion trainer, Good Spirit.

  

The 1.25 at Kelso looks like being an informative beginner’s chase.  Rasharrow was expected to make a winning debut over fences at Newcastle last week but he had to be pulled up when the saddle slipped.  He should make amends here at the expense of The Duke’s Speech, another from our list to follow, and Richard Fahey’s Altay.  The latter won the Swinton Hurdle in 2003.

  

There is plenty of quality arcing over the weekend and I will be back tomorrow evening to go through the cards fro Saturday.

 

Continue reading “Diary: November 17 2006” →

The only runner from our list to follow today was Aztec Warrior who won the novice chase at Folkestone at 7/2.

  

We have 3 runners from the list in action tomorrow with Kinburn probably the most likely winner.  He runs in the 2.20 at Hexham.  His last run was in a listed contest at Wetherby where he was 2^nd over an inadequate trip.  He has not always been the most fluent jumper but he got round the stiff fences at Wetherby.  The Howard Johnson horses have been running well and this 4 mile trip could well play to the horse’s strengths.

  

Our other runner is Caribou in the 2.10 at Warwick.  Caribou made a promising start to his chasing career when 3^rd at Worcester last month.  The 2 mile trip here just might be on the sharp side for him though.

  

Looking ahead at the entries for Thursday I see that Charlie Egerton has Rio Bravo in the 12.40 at Market Rasen.  The stable won this race last season.

  

Yaboya was a consistent sort over hurdles last season and may make his chase debut at Market Rasen in the 2.10.  Fourty Acers, trained by David Pipe is another horse from our list to follow entered in the same race.  This one improved with every run over hurdles last season and looks the type to do well over fences.  Our 3^rd runner is Keenan’s Future who proved a progressive novice hurdler last season winning at Wetherby and Exeter.

  

Closed Shop made an excellent start to his hurdles career when 2^nd at Wincanton last month and looks nailed on for similar.  He is entered in the Wincanton 4.00.

  

Harringay, from our list to follow is entered in the 3.00 at Wincanton.  I see that Alan King has Senorita Rumbalita down for this race.

  

Prince of Slane is a thorough stayer who ended last season by winning at Catterick over 3 miles 6.  He is entered in the 2.40 at Market Rasen but may find the trip on the short side for him.

  I will be back on Thursday evening.

Continue reading “Diary: November 15 & 16” →

The sad news today was the death off the great Desert Orchid at the age of 27.

 

The grey was not an overnight success and his career nearly eneded before it began.  On his hurdles debut, starting at 50/1 he fell at the last and lay on the ground without moving for fully 10 minutes.  He went on to record some success over hurdles winning 6 out of 7 races leading up to Cheltenham where he was unplaced in the Champion Hurdle.  The following season he was pulled up in the Champion Hurdle and the Welsh equivalent.

 When switched to fences it was a very different story with Dessie winning 27 of his 50 races.  He won the Irish Grand National and the Whitbread Gold Cup but his favourite course was undoubtedly Kempton.  Here he triumphed in the King George no fewer than 4 times.  He was probably best going right handed, which might explain his disappointing record at Cheltenham.  Time and time again Dessie went to the Festival only to disappoint.  On March 16 1989 Dessie ensured his place in racing history.  This time he came to Cheltenham having been unbeaten that season.  The morning of the race brought snow and sleet and the questions were asked – would he stay three and a quarter miles in very soft ground.  The race was pure drama.  Desert Orchid led the field at the start only to be overtaken by Ten Plus until he fell fatally at the 3rd last leaving Dessie in the lead.  He was headed by the outsider Yahoo only to battle gamely back roared on by 50,000 voices to record a famous victory.  A very special character. As his former rider Simon Sherwood said, "He was brave, tough, intelligent and totally honest.” 

 

I missed the Cheltenham Open Meeting so I have been catching up on some of the race videos.  Charles Egerton may not have the biggest string in jumps racing but he does have some quality horses and anything of his ridden by Tony McCoy is well worth a second look.  Rubberdubber won the 2 mile handicap chase for the Egerton/McCoy combination on Friday beating the ever consistent Armaturk.  Rubberdubber had fallen on his last outing but jumped confidently here and looks capable of winning further races during the season. 

By the time the novice chase went off at 4.10 the light was getting a bit murky but Standin’ Obligation lit up the afternoon with an impeccable round of fencing and although he only one by a length he basically toyed with the opposition under the most confident of rides from Timmy Murphy.  He could well be destined for the top.  He gave David Pipe his first ever Cheltenham winner at a meeting that his father dominated for so many years.

 

The other highlight on Friday was Spot the Difference who won over the unique cross country course for a remarkable 5^th time at the age of 13.

 

At Newcastle on Friday we had a couple of runners from our list to follow in the novice chase.  Aces Four won at 5/2 while our other runner Rasharrow was pulled up after the saddle slipped.

 

Denman has his critics and although he maintained his 100% recorded over fences on Saturday there are still some that remain unconvinced.  He had to work for his win in the Jim Brown Memorial novice chase beating Don’t Push It by 3 parts of a length.  Denman hung left markedly up the run in but kept on gamely winning in a fast time.  Don’t Push It had blundered at the third last and that may have made the difference.  Later on Saturday Star de Mohaison took advantage of a very lenient hurdles mark and his next stop may well be the Hennessey.

 

There was a cracking run from Idle Talk in the last where he was collared up the run in by yet another Paul Nicholls runner My Will.  This was one of the best finishes of the meeting.

 

Roll Along won for our list to follow at Uttoxeter albeit at 1/4.

 

There were plenty of old favourites in the staying chase at Wetherby which was won by King Killone who looks to be going the right way.  Apart from a slight blip two out he jumped well and got the better of the grey Silver Knight and course specialist Jungle Jinks.

 

The highlight of Sunday’s Cheltenham card was Detroit City’s run away victory in the Greatwood Hurdle.  He made all and powered well clear to stake his claim as a real contender for the Champion Hurdle.

 

There were also a couple of winners for our list to follow at Carlisle on Monday.  Tidal Bay won the opener to make it two out of two over hurdles while According to John beat the highly rated Royal Rosa in the novice chase.  Both look to have bright futures.

 

Aztec Warrior is our only runner on Tuesday.  He was pulled up after the first on his chase debut at Wincanton but he appeared to be hampered by a faller in front of him that day.  A winner over hurdles last season he is the type to do better over fences and has a chance here.  Garde Champetre is the obvious danger though.

 See you tomorrow    

Continue reading “Diary: November 14 2006” →

Mr Pointment kept our list to follow ticking over by winning the beginners chase t Bangor.  He may well go on to better things from there as he showed some useful form over hurdles last season. I see that the Lincoln Handicap winner Blythe Knight made a winning start to his hurdles career under AP McCoy.

  

The best racing tomorrow comes from Thurles.  The card gets under way with a beginners chase at 1.15.  Ballytrim was an easy winner of a bumper at Thurles and prior to that had won a point to point.  It is interesting that he goes straight over fences and that may be an indication that he has schooled well.  Oulart is more experienced and although he has yet to open his account over fences he was second in the Irish National last season.  This race was won by War of Attrition in 2004.

  

Slim Pickings could go well in the 1.45.  He was second to the useful Missed That over 2 miles 5 and should have a good race in him this season.  Barry Geraghty rides.

  

The 3.15 is a mares only maiden hurdle and this looks an opportunity for Female who has top class bumper form.

  

I am having a break this weekend and the next update will be on Monday evening.  You will find the jumps list to follow in the special features section of the site.  A couple of other names to look out for over the next few days are Bannow Strand and Just for Men. The massive chaser Bannow Stand, trained by David Pipe, has stacks of ability but has not really lived up to his hype.  This could be his season.  Just for Men is entered at Uttoxeter on Saturday.  I would also be interested in backing Commercial Flyer if he appears over the weekend.

  

Cheltenham’s Open Meeting takes centre stage over the weekend and there are plenty of runners from our list to follow in action.

  Be lucky

Continue reading “Diary: November 9 2006” →

I was very sorry to here that Fondmort is in a bad way after a training accident.  He has been a wonderful servant over the years and would be a huge loss to his connections that I am sure think the world of him.  If ever a racehorse had earned a long and comfortable retirement it would be Fondmort.  Let’s hope he recovers.

  

Ringaroses gave our list to follow a win today at Kempton on his hurdles debut.  He never came off the bridle under a patient Timmy Murphy ride and looks a useful recruit for Henrietta Knight.

  

There are jumps cards at both Bangor and Lingfield tomorrow and some interesting runners on show.

  

Blythe Knight, this year’s Lincoln winner makes his hurdles debut at Bangor in the 12.40.  With Tony McCoy on board he must be respected.

  

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 1.40, Cloudy Lane, Mr Poitment and Reach for the Top.  Cloudy Lane and Mr Pointment look the ones to concentrate on with the former having the benefit of a recent outing.

  

Distant Thunder’s recent form figures contain more letters than numbers.  His form of a couple of seasons ago was much more impressive though and he is in with a chance on his first run for his new stable in the 2.10.

  

Our runner at Lingfield is Gimmeabreak (2.30).  He is an Irish points winner and looks the type to show improved form now he is tried over fences.

  

See you tomorrow

 

Continue reading “Diary: November 8 2006” →

We had two winners from 3 runners today with Tony Dobbin riding both. Turpin Green was involved in a bizarre race.  None of the 3 runners wanted to take the lead and they took half a minute to cover the first few yards.  It was some time before they went for anything more strenuous than a gentle walk.  When the pace finally hotted up Turpin Green got the job done in competent style and with no sign of the gremlins that led him to virtually refuse at the last at Sandown.

  

Ever Present was our other runner and he made all and his jumping was pretty well faultless.

  

Tredegar was a winner on the flat for the Elite Racing Club so I was pleased about that too.  He comes from a winning family and seems to be going the right way.

  

Runners from our list to follow tomorrow.

  

Kempton 1.30 Opus Café and Ringaroses

 

Continue reading “Diary: November 7 2006” →

The European contingent didn’t fare too well at the Breeders Cup.  The excellent Ouija Board apart no European horse even got a place.  The real race of the weekend was of course at Down Royal where War of Attrition and Beef or Salmon fought out an epic dual in the James Nicholson Chase.  Beef or Salmon has his detractors in this country but back in his home country he is devilishly hard to beat, especially in a small field and given soft ground.  Justified belied his inexperience to finish a very creditable third.

  

On Saturday both Presto Shinko and Rampallion were close seconds at Windsor while Book of Music ran well to be third in the November Handicap.  Alfie Flits ensured that our list to follow had a winner on the final day of the season. He was a huge drifter in the market and ended up at 8/1.  He shrugged of a lacklustre display on his last run to storm clear of his rivals in the listed race at Windsor.

  

Kicks for Free and The Whisperer were short priced winners for our jumps list.

  

The jump racing tomorrow comes from Carlisle where we have a couple of runners from our list to follow.  The Dukes Speech had some useful hurdles form last season ending with a 3^rd to Straw  Bear and Conna Castle at Aintree.  He has always looked the type to do even better over fences and makes his debut over the larger obstacles in the 12.40.

  

Turpin Green has showed consistent form over fences.  The only real blip was when he was beaten in the Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown after seemingly having the race at his mercy.  He practically refused at the last and failed to get back up on the run in.  He clearly has plenty of talent though.  His main danger in this 3 horse field will be Exotic Dancer from the in form stable of Jonjo O’Neill.

  

Ever Present won over fences at Ayr last season over 3 miles. He should appreciate the soft ground in the 3.30.  He doesn’t look too badly weighted.  Should stay further later in the season but two and a half at this stiff track should suit.

  

So we have 3 runners and they all hold a chance so fingers crossed.

 

Continue reading “Diary: November 6 2006” →

The only runner from our UK list to follow on Sunday is Sue Smith’s Bougoure in the 2.50 at Market Rasen. He won twice over hurdles and looks the sort to do well over the larger obstacles.

  

In Ireland we have two runners, both with winning chances. The prolific winner from last season, Dun Doire runs in the 1.15 at Cork.  This is a handicap hurdle where Dun Doire’s rating is considerably lower than his chase mark.

  

In the 3.25 Mounthenry looks to improve on his runner up spot last time at Punchestown.  Mossbank looks the main danger.

  

I will be back tomorrow evening for a look back at the events of the weekend.

  Bye for now

Continue reading “Diary: November 5 2006” →

One Sniff was a winner for our jumps list to follow today at Hexham.  He beat a useful horse of Howard Johnsons called The Reverend and should be able to go on to better things.

  

Tomorrow sees the final day of the 2006 flat season and of course we also have the Breeders Cup to look forward to.

  

The last meeting of the flat season is at Windsor this year rather than Doncaster which is undergoing a facelift.

  

Alfie Flits had looked a progressive individual when taking a listed race at Pontefract earlier in the season but floundered in testing conditions when upped to Group company last time out.  Conditions should be more to his liking tomorrow in the 2.30 and he looks one for the short list.

  

Zowington represents our list to follow in the listed sprint at 3.05.  He has is upped in class here and has a bit to find against some of his rivals.    Our other runner is Presto Shinko.  He has plenty of weight but won this race last season when it was stages at Donny and he also has a good record at Windsor. Our old friend Quito runs here as does Elite Racing Club runner Eisteddfod.

  

The 3.40 is the last big handicap of the season.  There are two runners from our list, Peppertree Lane, who has already won 5 times, and Book of Music, a winner last time out at Ascot.  Both handle soft ground Book of Music  and is lightly raced and may have further improvement in him.  The track could be a problem as he ran poorly round Chester’s tight turns a few runs ago.  The drying ground may go against Peppertree Lane although Mark Johnston’s horses must always command the greatest respect at this time of year in particular.

  

Can we get a winner in the very last race of the season?  Well there are 4 runners from the list to follow in the handicap at 4.10 that closes the Windsor card.

  

Pinpoint, trained by Walter Swinburne has been running well all season and won over this trip at Newbury in September.  He was 3^rd last time out at Newmarket in the Cambridgeshire.  The unbeaten Rampallion has scope for improvement and is one of 3 Godolphin runners all of which are on our list. Narvik is having his first run of the season on the last day.  He won his only start as a juvenile and doesn’t look too harshly treated on his handicap debut.  Austrian is the third Godolphin runner. He won a soft ground maiden last season when trained by Mark Johnston and has just had one run this term.  You couldn’t rule Pinpoint and Narvik out of this but my selection has to be Rampallion who looked impressive when scoring at Newmarket at the end of September.

  

We had a winner today from Nicky Richards and the Cumbrian trainer saddles another fancied runner in The Whisperer who runs in the Kelso 12.40.  The Whisperer won his only point to point in Ireland and was an expensive purchase when he joined Nicky Richards yard.

  

I am hopeful of a win for Elite Club horse Trompette in the Sandown 3.10. She looks well handicapped but my main worry is the ground.  If it turns out to be too quick it could spoil her chances as her winning form is all with give in the ground.

  

Our list runner in the bumper at 4.15 is Colin Tinkler’s Sound Accord.  He is already a winner and as a result carries a penalty here which means he is giving weight to all the others.  He is a half brother to Wild Cane Ridge.  His immediate future will be over hurdles and while he should go well here I don’t like supporting bumper runners that carry a penalty.

  

Turning to Wincanton Paul Nicholl’s Kick for Free should make a winning start to his hurdles career in the 1.05 but he won’t be a betting proposition I am afraid.

  

Aztec Warrior (2.10) only has one win to his credit so far but now that he has been switched to hurdles I suspect that he will do rather better.  Henrietta Knight has pitched him in against some stern opposition here as he takes on the likes of Turko.  Tough ask on his first run over fences but he should be one to follow in the months (and years) to come.

  

Alderburn (3.20) has become a regular on my lists to follow and he should pay his way this season in staying chases. A win here would probably get him into the Hennessey.  He certainly has an each way chance.  The booking of AP McCoy is a plus.  There are plenty of old friends in opposition in the shape of Fork Lightning, Nil Desperandum and Ladalko.

  

Desert Quest is likely to be a warm order for the 3.55 after his effortless win last week.  I am hopeful that Noble Request can give him a run for his money though. He jumps well, acts on any ground and has gone well fresh.  At 7/1 he looks the value.

  

There are some good reports about Mutual Respect who runs in the bumper at 4.25.

  

War of Attrition has his second outing of the campaign in the 2.40 at Down Royal where he meets old rival Beef or Salmon and the young pretender Justified.

  

Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby stages this years Breeders Cup.  There is quite a European interest including several runners from our list to follow.

  

In the 6.55 Quiet Royal represents our list to follow but the main European chance really lies with Ouija Board.

  

There is a strong European challenge in the 8.15 where we have Aussie Rules, Rob Roy and Echo of Light.

  

Hurricane Run and Scorpion are our list horses in the 9.35.  Both could probably do with a strong pace but they may not get it.

  

Aiden O’Brien is bullish about the chances of George Washington in the 10.20 but there is what looks like a very powerful home challenge.  David Junior is the other runner from our list to follow.

  

I will be back tomorrow evening for a look at Sunday’s racing.

 

Continue reading “Diary: November 4 2006” →

Today’s selections drew a blank (sorry Pikey!) although King Barry was 2^nd at Haydock and will hopefully pay his way over fences as the season progresses.

  

 There is only one runner from the list to follow tomorrow and that is One Sniff in the 1.20 at Hexham.  One Sniff is a former Irish points winner who made a big impression when winning over hurdles at the second time of asking at Kelso in April.  Stamina looks to be his strong suit and this extended 3 miles should be fine for him.  The Reverend represents the danger.  This one looked a hot prospect last season when beating the well regarded Wild Cane Ridge at Carlisle.  Was subsequently down the field in a handicap won by the ill fated Olaso but by then Howard Johnson’s horses were under a cloud.

  

There was a real fairytale ending to the Haldon Chase on Tuesday. This of course was the race where Best Mate died last season and it was fitting that Jim Lewis should gain some compensation this year with Impek carrying the owners Aston Villa colours to victory.  Impek had his critics earlier in his career and some questioned his temperament.  His record stands up to close scrutiny now though.  He has now won 8 times in the UK since arriving from France with 4 of those wins coming at Grade 2 level.

  

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: November 3 2006” →